Kayak questions

[Solocam00]

i am going tomorrow to corpus to pick up my first kayak and was wondering what I need as far as being legal. do you have to register the thing and put liscense numbers on it like a bass boat-bay boat. I know you have to have a PFD onboard for each person on the craft. help me out since I am planning on going to baffin early sat. morning. thanks.

[Canoe1]

Only thing you have to have is the PFD. Don't skimp on it, get a good paddling jacket, or one of the inflateable ones. Also, get a good paddle too, after using it for a few hours it will make a big difference.
You do not need to register the boat unless you are going to put a motor on it.

[Casey]

I've been thinking of getting one myself. I mainly want to throw camera gear in it and blast across the lake nearby. Can you make suggestions, Canoe1, that won't break the bank but will get me to the other side of the lake safely with dry gear?

[Solocam00]

thanks, I am going on the low end this time with the yak...everything else will be higher end...paddle, backrest, and whatnot.

[Canoe1]

Check out Texas kayak fisherman, those guys will have alot more info on that. I tend to focus on getting from one place to the next as fast as my fat but will go.

[Canoe1]

Casey, what lake are you crossing, I'm going guess Lake Houston. Are the bald eagles still up on the North end of the lake? The eagles and osprey would often let me paddle up pretty close to them.
With a decent boat, you should be able to take pictures from the boat without a problem. You should be able to pick a used one up for a good price.

[Cotton]

Casey, check out the Malibu Mini-X. It's wider than a lot of Yaks, very stable and it's rated for 350 pounds. Cat has one and they are handy.

These folks have some and they are located in Katy. Add for kayaks on sale.
Malibu Mini-X

It's amazing how close you can get to critters in these things!

[kyle1974]

hey, where are you launching your kayak to get into baffin?

are you throwing it out of a boat?

[Solocam00]

we always fish back around site 55/drum point so we just park around the piers and wade, but now it will be kayaks. there is some good fishing back there. Kratz pier just south of loyola beach gives a good starting location.

[Soapeddler]

A PFD, and a noise making device are required. If you plan on being out after dark you must have an all around light.

I highly suggest an anchor rig for fishing the coast. Get a small drift sock as well. Kayaks are like tree leaves floating on the water when it's windy and when you find a hot spot, you'll want to dig in and stay put. Academy sells a small 3 Lb folding anchor that works great. Make sure you have plenty of line tied to it to play out.

Paddle leashes are the best insurance you can buy - don't want to get stuck way out with no motor.

Rod holders are a real blessing.

Academy sells dry bags - hermetically seals out moisture - great for wallet, cell phone, small pocket camera, car keys. I tie a small chunk of pool noodle on mine so it will float.

I always have my sting ray boots on board with me when I'm fishing the salt. You can get into areas that you never would have thought you could...then the tide will go out and you'll be dragging your yak back to deeper water - usually through oyster beds...I know, I's done it before...

www.texaskayakfisherman.com is about the best place to go for info on rigging out a kayak.

Once you get the addiction, you'll be spending as much, or more, money on yakking than you do on archery. We like to set up a day camp - we call it the KKK - Kathy's Kayak Kamp ( Kathy is Mrs Soapeddler)... It's nice to be able to paddle in and sit in the shade for a while, drink a cold beverage, eat a sandwich, etc before you head back out.

Make sure you always have drinking water on board. Stay hydrated at all times - it's easy to forget when your out there, but is critically important - you are using more energy than you do when wading.

Good Times!!! Tight Lines!!!

[pigstikr]

Casey pm sent.

[pigstikr]

Solocam, like said already, you need a PFD(Life jacket) get a good one, there are several out there. On the paddle, you get what you pay for, again get a good one, your arms and shoulders will thank you for it. After a long day on the water, and after several miles of paddling even the lightest paddle will feel like it weighs a ton. you must have a PFD, whistle or air horn, and lights if you plan on being out after dark.

[jfk47]

Solocam
I second everything that Soapeddler said above. Some of the stuff you can improvise for, like the dry bag. A large Zip-Lock freezer bag works just as well. Let us know how your trip goes. I am planning to do the same thing sometimes in August. Trying to set things up now. Maybe we can get a TBH trip together if anyone would be interested? It would still be cheaper than buying corn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Canoe1]

Good info on outfitting the boat Soapeddler, I forgot about the wistle (noise maker). Do you find you a foot or two of chain attached to the anchor to help it catch? I had the larger folding anchor and it wouldn't hold until I put some chain on it to help pull the top down.

[orion]

Best deal around at this point are the Ocean kayak Drifters or Specksat Academy. If your local Academy is selling them, buy one. At $599 or $499 you are not going to get better kayaks.

I prefer the drifter because you can stand up in it and it is stable and tracks well.